BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Century Exploits Foothill’s Run of Technicals

There are some technical reasons why Century was able to end a two-game losing streak with a 55-47 victory over Foothill Tuesday night at Century High.

Mainly, the Knights could not stop getting technicals.

Foothill guard John Brittingham was cited by the referees in the first quarter. His crime? Wearing uniform No. 13 in the game but having uniform No. 10 entered in the scorebook. At the time, the Knights were ahead, 14-12. Two foul shots and a basket later they were trailing, 16-14. They never led again.

Foothill forward Dan Almquist was assessed two technicals (and an ejection) in the fourth quarter the old fashioned way--arguing with the officials. Almquist was originally whistled for a foul against Vibol Ros, and kept disagreeing with the call until he was excused. Ros made four of the six free throws, turning a 47-38 lead into a 51-38 runaway with less than three minutes to play.

Ros, in fact, feasted on free throws; 10 of his team-high 12 points came from the line. He made eight of 10 in the fourth quarter alone.

Just as important to Century’s success was the full-court pressure of the Centurions (7-3). Foothill (6-5) didn’t break the 40-point barrier until there was 1 minute 27 seconds left to play, and while it had only 13 turnovers, the total is magnified in a game where there weren’t many scoring chances.

“Tonight our defense did what it was supposed to do, and that’s wear people down as much mentally as physically,” Century Coach Greg Coombs said.

Foothill guard Vince Disaia led all scorers with 15.